Local News

WRAL welcomes NBC Feb. 29

WRAL-TV will become your NBC affiliate on Feb. 29 at 7 a.m.

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WRAL-TV became your NBC affiliate on Feb. 29 at 7 a.m. {{a href="story-15241044" fragment="peacock"}}Meet our new mascot below!{{/a}}

First things first: Our channel isn’t moving. Our news people aren’t moving, and WRAL News stays right where it’s always been. See our full programming schedule.

New WRAL Programming lineup

TIME PROGRAM 4:30 to 7 a.m. WRAL Morning News 7 to 11 a.m. The Today Show 11 a.m. Dr. Phil (new morning time!) Noon WRAL Noon News 1 p.m. Days of Our Lives * Catch up with the cast of Days of Our Lives 2 p.m. The Doctors 3 p.m. Dr. Phil (new episode!) WRAL’s 4:00 News will air on WRAL-TV instead of FOX 50, beginning Feb. 29 5 to 6:30 p.m. WRAL Evening News 6:30 p.m. NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt * WRAL gets to know Lester * NBC news complements WRAL local coverage * WRAL remains committed to local news, people, programs 7 p.m. Inside Edition 7:30 p.m. Entertainment Tonight 8 to 11 p.m. NBC primetime programs * Award-winning drama, comedy, reality comes to WRAL from NBC 11 p.m. WRAL Late News 11:30 p.m. The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon

A message from the CEO:

Capitol Broadcasting Company President and CEO Jim Goodmon answered viewer questions about the move live on Facebook with David Crabtree.

FAQ:

Why did you make this change?

Local broadcasting is our top priority. Local news, locally produced documentaries, innovation in technology and commitment to the communities we serve. We’re local broadcasters first and a network affiliate second. According to Capitol Broadcasting President and CEO Jim Goodmon: “The broadcasting business is changing rapidly. We chose a partner committed to preserving the future of local broadcasting. It was clear to us NBC understands the value local stations bring to the network/affiliate partnership.”

Did WRAL get sold?

No. WRAL-TV is still locally owned by Capitol Broadcasting Company.

Is WRAL merging with another channel?

No.

Will WRAL still be on channel 5?

Yes! No change.

Can you still watch WRAL News on WRAL and FOX 50?

Yes, with one change. On Feb. 29, the 4:00 News moves to WRAL with Lynda, Gerald, and Mike.

Are the WRAL News people moving to a different channel?

No! The people you know and watch on WRAL News aren’t moving.

Will the 10:00 News still air on FOX 50?

Yes, with Gerald, Lynda, Mike and Jeff!

Where will I watch the Super Bowl?

The Super Bowl next year is on FOX 50. The Super Bowl in 2018 is on WRAL.

Where will I watch the NFL on Thursday nights?

Starting in the fall, you’ll be able to watch seven Thursday night games on NBC, right here on WRAL.

Where will I watch The Doctors?

Starting Feb. 29, weekdays at its new time: 2 p.m. on WRAL.

Where will I watch Dr. Phil?

Starting Feb. 29, you can watch Dr. Phil twice a day! Weekdays at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on WRAL.

Where will I watch Inside Edition and Entertainment Tonight?

Same time and channel as now, WRAL-TV at 7 and 7:30.

Will Young & Restless still be on at 4:00 on WRAL?

Until Feb. 29, yes. After that, it will air nightly at 7:00 on the POP cable network (check local listings) or on your local CBS affiliate.

What will be on WRAL at 4:00?

Starting Feb. 29, our 4:00 newscast that has been airing on FOX 50 moves to WRAL.

Where will I watch the ACC tournament?

WRAL-TV. No change there.

Will I need to reprogram my DVR?

Depending on your carrier, you may not have to reprogram your DVR. To be sure you don’t miss your favorite shows, it will be a good idea to check your DVR to make sure it's recording the shows you want.

Will NBC programming change channels or times?

Channels yes; times no! NBC network programs like The Voice, The Blacklist, Blindspot, Saturday Night Live, Dateline, Meet The Press, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and NBC Sports like NFL, NHL, NASCAR and Premier League Soccer will all now be on WRAL-TV, on Ch. 5. They will air at the times you’re used to.

Where can I find CBS programming?

In the Triangle, the new CBS affiliate will be WNCN.

Will there be two CBS affiliates now?

Depends on where you live. CBS is moving to a different channel in the Raleigh-Durham-Fayetteville market. Towns that are on the edge of WRAL’s coverage area may also be able to pick up a CBS affiliate from Florence or Myrtle Beach S.C.

Will the reception on NBC programs be better now that it’s on WRAL?
Yes! Many viewers in places like Lumberton, Goldsboro, Reidsville, Laurinburg and Greenville will get a more reliable signal because WRAL has a much stronger off-air signal than the previous NBC affiliate, WNCN.
What’s the last CBS show that will air on WRAL?

The movie “Las Vegas” airing on Feb 28, 9-11:08 p.m. will be the final CBS program to air on WRAL-TV. It will be followed by WRAL Late News and syndicated programming overnight.

WRAL Morning News begins at 4:30 a.m. as usual on Feb. 29 and will be followed by "Today."

Will WILM-TV in Wilmington remain a CBS affiliate?
Yes, and WILM will continue to simulcast WRAL newscasts.
Still have questions you need answered?
You can send email to wralfeedback@wral.com and we will do our best to answer.

With the return of NBC to WRAL-TV, the station has a new mascot.

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Meet the new WRAL Mascot

Special thanks to the Sylvan Heights Bird Park in Scotland Neck, N.C., for raising and loving our new peacock mascot.

You may notice our mascot doesn’t have the long tail fan traditionally associated with a peacock. That’s because the bird is only 6 months old! The gender of peafowl gets revealed as the bird matures. By one year of age, the tail feathers of the male are longer than the female. By the second year, the fan is much longer and by year three, it’s fully mature. Peahens are generally more brown in color, a plumage that allows them to blend into their surroundings while nesting and makes them less of a target for predators. Peacocks are primarily iridescent green or blue in color.

Just in case you’re wondering, no news personalities or peacocks were harmed in the making of our commercials.

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